Numbers 12 March 31, 2008

I’m reading through the scripture to find stories for the children in my ministry that they don’t know and that would teach them new things about God.  Well in my searching I came across a story in Numbers Chapter 12 that sticks out.  What happens in this chapter is that Miriam and Aaron are talking against Moses (gossip).  And they are basically bad mouthing and what I see is that they are jealous.  Well then God sees this, why wouldn’t He, He sees all… well God calls them to Tent of Meeting.  Then He calls out to Miriam and Aaron and says “Listen to my words: When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams, But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.  With him I speak face to face, clearly and not riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.  Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses.” (Numbers 12:6-8) God was not very happy with Aaron and Miriam.  He is telling them to Listen. He is telling them that Moses understands Him and believes unlike them. The scripture goes on and says that when the cloud of God lifted off of Miriam and Aaron.  Miriam was covered with Leprosy.  Moses cried out to the Lord to heal her. That is a very caring man right there…..I would want Moses on my team for sure.  And God said to Moses “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.”

This scripture speaks to me on so many levels.  I can hear God inside me saying trust me. Don’t question me.  It gives me a whole new look at God and how He speaks to me.  I need to Listen and Do what He says.  Trust Him.  Because I know that the times where I didn’t listen and trust God things happened very slowly and very badly.  And they didn’t seem to go in the right direction when I was being selfish.  He has to be the leader of my life for everything to work. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Kids Choice Awards March 30, 2008

Kids Choice Awards on Nick.  This award show is always full of SLIME, yes you read it right SLIME.  I really enjoy watching and hearing about these shows because it is research for me.  I find that watching over 1000 kids make choices and getting to slime hollywoods most paid is great.  It’s like America’s only way of letting children show they can make choices too.  One of the highlights for me was when Cameron Diaz got on stage to get the kids to repeat after her.  Now at first I thought it was going to be all about the earth and that she was going to make them promise something like “I will always pick up trash and recycle.”  but no it was way better.

Cameron had the kids say quietly first “We are the future and the future is bright.” Then they yelled at the top of there lungs “We are the future and the future is BRIGHT.” Wow, to think she had all those children say that.  She probably didn’t even realize that there is so much  meaning in that.  I know that every chance I get I’m telling the children that they are the future and God is the light that shines in them.  They are the future and the future is bright.  Just think if every child knew who Jesus was and changed the world.  This world would be very bright.  Bright with love and compassion.  I pray that the people of the world would realize that the children are the future and we must teach and show them who the LIGHT truly is.  I believe that the children are going to change the world one step at a time.  They are the future and the future is BRIGHT with GOD as the LIGHT!

Back to the Basics March 30, 2008

Well it all started a couple weeks ago.  I prayed to God that if He wanted me to write curriculum that He would have to make me a writer.  Believe me, I’m no writer at all.  But I was feeling that I’m suppose to be teaching these children something different from what I was finding on the internet or from all these new curriculum’s.  Well sure enough on Tuesday afternoon I started to feel the call to writing when my head began to get over flowed with ideas on different ways to teach the children.  And also all these stories started to pop in my head that really I find myself not really knowing them that well myself.  I also reflected a lot on how the ministry is going and I see that the children are getting all caught up and bored with all the new media.  The children in my ministry are eating up the basics when I throw them at them. For Example, a couple weeks ago I introduce a “Sacred Space” to the room.  This had nothing to do with curriculum it was a place where the children could go in the room and read straight from scripture or write in journals of things that God was showing them.  I found myself in awe of these moments watching the children that seem to be bored the most in class going to the space opening up the bible and reading.  Today was the start of going back to the basics with the children and I found myself hearing and seeing the children loving it.  I also heard another story that the children need to learn, Abraham.  To think they didn’t even know His story.  Here is the start of new beginnings in Club Rock.

This is going to be a growing experience for me and the children.  He will provide the material and strength to write.  He is the ultimate story teller, I only hope I can show the best for Him to the children.

Wedding Planning March 28, 2008

The average cost of a wedding in Terre Haute, Indiana is 21, 890 dollars.  Needless to say my wedding is not that expensive.  I’m not paying, my parents are but I really don’t want them to have to spend a ton of money.  So I’m trying to cut cost right and left.  To me it is silly to pay over 1000 dollars on invites, they are just pieces of paper that you throw away.  And then there are very expensive flowers, most people get roses and cali lillies, can we say “OUCH!” Sure they are pretty but all flowers are pretty and the big thing to remember is “THEY DIE!” So far the most expensive things we have bought are dresses, tuxs, and the place to have the dance reception.  I can’t tell you how much of a headache this stuff is but I know that every bride and brides family know that it hurts…..and not to mention how much pain for the groom because of how the bride drives him nuts. (Sorry honey)  I know my mother wants the best for me and is trying to get me to realize things need to be a certain way.  I love my mom, don’t get me wrong, but this is driving me nuts.  After all this is done I know that we will laugh about it.   For all of you with little girls remember they will be getting married someday, here is my advice seriously think about a beach wedding.  You can still throw a party with friends when she gets back.

I will blog more on progress when the wedding day gets closer but here’s to71 days to my wedding and staying positive.  Did I mention all the things I’m doing now?

Tough Love March 27, 2008

It takes some strong love to give tough love.  I find myself stressed out a lot lately because I have a lot of my plate.  Well my hubby to be, Jon,  has been really patience with me until today.  I was going on and on about how I have to do this for the wedding and that.  And how I just don’t look healthy and my clothes aren’t fitting like they used.  And then add work stuff of worries about how Easter was going to go.  Well today I was starting into the wedding stuff when Jon stopped me and gave me a look at who God was straight on.  It was like a slap in the face with words but they were kind and loving.  Jon was speaking at me through God.  He was saying everything that I needed to hear.  I never thought of this but he said to me “God gave us the choice and you have the choice to be stressed or not, you should look at these positively.” “God doesn’t want any of us to worry or be down, He wants up to be happy and look at the good things and rely everything on Him.”

All I have to say is “Thank you Jon!”  And thank you God for teaching Jon and showing me you more and more through Jon.

Images March 26, 2008

I find myself caught in a whirlwind of love and chaos.  I have all these good things happening around me all at the same time and it’s hard to soak it in.  Right before I go to bed I find myself thinking of the day.  It’s a bunch of silent white images until I explore them and then colors begin to pop out.  Every day things pass by so quickly it’s like I’m living in a black and white movie until bed time and then color is added.  These colored images are images that God is showing me in people and things.   This past Sunday was a prime example for me, I went home right church services and cried…..I mean cried, I haven’t cried like that in a while. And just felt that everything in me was dark and wrong. That night before I went to bed I found myself rethinking about those tears. The images in my head began to receive bright colors from children running, smiling, and excited to be at church.  They didn’t care that stuff went wrong or what was said…..it was to be in a room with people who love God and love them.  I found myself in awe of these children and wanting myself to go back to childhood to feel that love from God again.  I know though that God loves me the same today as He did yesterday but being a child of God now seems harder.  It’s only harder because I make it harder.  Life as an adult is to fast and full of distractions.  I need to take the white and black images and turn them into color by slowing down.  But how does one grasp the slowing down?